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Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2008

Table of Contents

Abstract

This 2008 report provides an economic overview of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food system.

It is meant to be a multi-purpose reference document to provide:

  • an introduction to the agriculture and agri-food system;
  • a snapshot of structural changes that are occurring throughout the system in response to various factors; and
  • background data and information to inform public discussions on challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian agriculture and agri-food system.

The 2008 report begins with a special feature describing recent developments in global commodity markets when prices rose dramatically over the past year. It continues by reviewing each segment of the system, going upstream from consumers to food distribution, food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) processing, primary agriculture and input suppliers. It concludes with a review of government expenditures in support of agriculture including measures of international support. It introduces a new section this year that considers the natural resources available in Canada and the environmental impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Highlights

  • The agriculture and agri-food system encompasses several industries including the farm input and service supplier industries, primary agriculture, food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) processing, wholesale and retail food industries and foodservice. It continues to play an important role in the federal and provincial economies, making a significant contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment. It directly provided one in eight jobs and accounted for 8% of total GDP in 2006.
  • Export opportunities are critical for the growth of most Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries. In 2007, Canada was the fourth-largest exporter and sixth-largest importer of agriculture and agrifood products in the world, with exports and imports valued at $32 billion and $26 billion, respectively.
  • The agriculture and agri-food system is becoming more internationally focussed with Canada's share of world agriculture and agri-food trade increasing over the past 15 years in response to trade liberalization and growing world economies. The composition of the agriculture and agri-food system's trade has also changed with increasing exports of consumer-oriented goods that meet changing international demands.
  • Changing consumer demands are influencing changes throughout the whole agriculture and agrifood system. Consumers are demanding more variety, more convenience, more environmentallyfriendly and healthier food choices, accompanied by proper assurances of quality and safety.
  • Canadians enjoy some of the lowest food costs in the world, with food from stores accounting for only 10% of personal household expenditures in recent years.
  • In response to challenges and changing market conditions, the agriculture and agri-food sector has gone through considerable transformation with a continued trend towards fewer, larger farms and firms and increased concentration. There is also an increasing number of farms and firms diversifying production, growing organic products and adopting environmentally-friendly production methods.
  • The agriculture and agri-food sector is also continuously developing innovative products such as bioproducts and functional foods and nutraceutical (FFN) products that provide excellent market opportunities to diversify and meet challenges in a competitive global market.
  • The prosperity of the sector depends on its ability to be productive and competitive. Although Canada has become more competitive in the net export of various agricultural and agri-food products, it has lost competitiveness in several sectors due to rising costs.
  • Innovation is a key factor in determining competitiveness, with public and private spending on research and development ( R&D) as a major input to innovation. Public R&D spending in the agriculture and agri-food sector has been increasing over time. However, private R&D spending as a share of GDP in the food manufacturing industry is significantly lower than that of total manufacturing.
  • While primary agriculture accounts for a small share of the total economy, it is at the heart of the agriculture and agri-food system. Any changes in commodity markets can therefore have impacts on the performance of primary agriculture and the whole supply chain.
  • Canadian farms differ by size, scale, farm type and typology, while farm operators differ by management skills and business strategies. Therefore differences in performance between farms can be explained by this diversity.
  • Farm income varies by farm size, type, region and typology. On average, high performance farms tend to have better cost control, which along with support from government policies and programs help them manage through income variability. Some farm families rely more on off-farm income to help them manage.
  • The food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) processing sector is a group of industries that transforms primary production and is the second most important manufacturing sector in Canada.
  • FBT processing experienced growth in 2007 leading to higher GDP, but higher input costs are squeezing margins and forcing the sector to adjust business strategies.
  • Input suppliers and service providers also perform important functions in the agriculture and agrifood system. In 2007, producers spent over $38 billion in operating expenses, with commercial feed constituting the largest part of expenses. In addition to already large input expenses, recent increases in the costs of fuel, fertilizer and pesticides are putting added pressure on farmers. Recent increases in feed prices have added to the financial pressures for livestock farms in particular.
  • Total government (federal and provincial) support to the agriculture and agri-food sector rose to a record high level in 2007-2008 at an estimated value of $8.1 billion or just under 40% of total sector GDP.
  • Program payments continue to account for the largest portion of both federal and provincial government expenditures in support of the sector in 2006-2007, followed by spending on research and inspection.
  • Government support to the sector varies across provinces. On the basis of government support as a percentage of agriculture and agri-food GDP, farmers in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador received the most support.
  • Agricultural policies in Canada and other countries have evolved over time. Some countries have made major reforms to their agricultural policies, leading to reductions in levels of support and modifications to the types of support provided.
  • Canada's Producer Support Estimate (PSE) for all commodities was estimated at 18% in 2007 compared to 10% for the U.S. and 26% for the EU(27). In 2007, the percent PSE declined for the main OECD countries mainly because of increased farm gross receipts and reduced market price support due to higher world prices in all countries but the U.S.

Executive Summary

The agriculture and agri-food system continues to be a complex and highly integrated group of industries that contributes significantly to the Canadian economy.

The agriculture and agri-food system continues to play a significant role in the Canadian economy, particularly when the whole supply chain is considered. The agriculture and agri-food system contributed $87.9 billion (chained 1997 dollars) to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or 8% of the Canadian economy and employed 2.1 million Canadians in 2006. This complex, integrated production and distribution system includes input and service suppliers, primary agriculture producers, food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) processors, food retailers and wholesalers and foodservice providers.

The importance of the agriculture and agri-food sector varies across provinces, with food processing being more important in Eastern Canada, and primary agriculture being more important on the Prairies.

Figure 1: The Agriculture and Agri-Food System's Contribution to GDP and Employment, 2006

The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector depends on trade

The agriculture and agri-food system has been growing at an average rate of 2.4% per year over the past decade with most of the growth in GDP occurring in FBT processing, food retail/wholesale and foodservice.

Growth in the system has been driven partly by export growth, and in particular, by exports of consumer- oriented products. In 2007, total sector export sales reached $32 billion, with just under 50% representing consumer-oriented products.

Canada continued to be the world's fourth largest agriculture and agri-food exporter in 2007 after Brazil, the U.S. and the EU with 5.6% of total world exports if EU countries are counted as a trade bloc, and 3.1% if they are treated separately.

Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Exports (BICO)*, 1990-2007

Overall, Canada's agricultural producers are much more export oriented than those in the U.S and the EU.

In 2006, for example, about 45% of Canada's agricultural production was exported compared to 18% in the U.S. and 7% in the EU. Grains and oilseeds and red meats were particularly export oriented.

Share of Farm Market Receipts from Export Sales for Canada, the U.S. and the EU, 1999-2006

A rise in global commodity prices in 2007 and early 2008 has had an impact on the performance of the agriculture and agri-food system.

Global commodity prices increased in 2007 and early 2008 as a result of changes in supply and demand conditions around the world. The World Food Price Index roughly doubled between 2002 and 2008. During the first half of 2008 in particular, world food prices rose 32% over 2007 prices.

World Food Price Index, 1980-2008*

Changing supply and demand conditions around the world has led to higher commodity prices.

A rising middle income class in emerging economies contributed to increased demand for higher- value agricultural commodities such as meat and dairy products.

This, combined with droughts in Australia and poor weather in Europe, tightened supplies and led to the lowest stock-to-use ratios for grains and oilseeds in several years. Stock-to-use ratios for wheat were 25% in 2007, down from 44% in 1999. Stock-to-use ratios for coarse grains fell to 20% in 2007 from 33% in 1999. At the same time, many countries reduced their public stock holdings of cereals over this period.

Stock-to-Use Ratios, 1995-2007

At the same time, rising energy consumption has contributed to higher crude oil prices which have raised input costs.

Crude oil prices climbed from $US25 per barrel in 2002 to $US72 per barrel in 2007 and reached over $US140 per barrel in mid 2008 before falling back.

Higher energy prices enter directly into farmers' and food manufacturers' costs of production, increase transportation costs and indirectly affect prices of other inputs.

World Crude Oil Prices, 2002-2007

Higher energy and agricultural commodity prices have affected sector performance.

Higher crude oil prices have also contributed to higher input costs, such as farm expenses on machinery fuel and fertilizer, as well as raising the costs of transporting food products around the world.

Farm Expenses on Marchinery Fuel, 1980-2007

In Canada, rising commodity prices have had a limited impact on food price inflation, as the appreciation of the Canadian dollar since 2003 partially moderated food price increases in Canada.

The Canadian dollar appreciation also had other impacts on the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. This included dampening export demand, lowering farm and food market export revenues and increasing the relative labour cost in Canada and the U.S. It also lowered the cost of imported inputs, such as machinery and equipment, thereby encouraging investment in the sector.

World and Canadian Food Price Indices and U.S./Canada Exchange Rate, 2000-2007

Canadian consumers continued to spend a smaller share of their budgets on food in 2007.

In 2007, Canadians spent $150 billion on food from stores and from restaurants. This represented only 13% of their total personal spending, down from 17% in 1981. This occurred as real per capita personal disposable income increased in 2007. While spending on food from stores was down to under 10% of total spending, the share allocated to restaurant meals continued to become more important.

Average Personal Expenditures on Food as a Share of Total Personal Expenditures, 1981-2007

The lowest income households in Canada, however, allocated larger shares of spending on food (16% in 2006) compared to the average.

While Canadian food prices increased only moderately in the wake of global commodity price inflation, low income Canadians are affected since they spend more on food.

Share of Household Food Expenditures by Income Quintile*, 2006

Compared to many other countries, Canadians spend a relatively small share on food from stores (10%), as do citizens in the U.S. and the UK.

This compares with emerging countries, where large portions of the population live on less than US$1 per day, and allocate well over 60% of total household expenditures on food.

Global commodity price increases in 2008 have hit citizens in these countries particularly hard, leading to calls for greater food aid to those regions.

Household Expenditure Share of Food in Developing Countries Living on Less than US$1/Day, 2006

The food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) processing sector has also been affected by international market developments in 2007 and 2008.

FBT processing is the second-largest manufacturing sector in Canada after transportation equipment. The FBT industry is highly export oriented with some sub-sectors more dependent on trade than others. Therefore, it has been affected by the appreciated exchange rate. Nevertheless, FBT GDP was up 2.2% in 2007.

FBT Processing Export Intensities, by Sub-industry, 2007

Profit margins were higher in 2007 but the gap between FBT and total manufacturing narrowed.

2008 is seeing higher raw material, labour, transportation and energy costs. This, combined with an appreciated exchange rate, is creating competitive pressures that are leading the industry to further rationalize and restructure.

Profit Margin Ratio in Food and Total Manufacturing, 1999-2007

Lower costs for imported machinery and equipment, because of an appreciated exchange rate, have meant that food manufacturers have been able to invest in new capital stock particularly machinery and equipment. This may lead to productivity improvements and enhanced competitiveness in the future.

Capital Stock, Canadian Food Processing, 1961-2007

The primary agriculture sector continues to adjust to international market forces.

In the primary agriculture sector, there is an increasing number of large farms that dominate production. Million dollar farms account for only 2.5% of farms, but account for 40% of revenues, and their importance has increased over time. Farms have consolidated in order to be able to benefit from economies of scale and improvements in productivity and new technologies in order to compete.

Distribution of Gross Farm Receipts by Revenue Class (2005 Constant $), 1986-2006

Farming remains a highly-diverse sector. Some highly-profitable farms are small, business focussed farms, while less profitable farms are lifestyle farms that rely largely on off-farm income.

In 2007 and 2008, as commodity prices have risen, farm market receipts and net farm income for grain and oilseed farms have also increased. Livestock farms, on the other hand, which have experienced higher feed costs and lower prices due to high liquidation of herds, are experiencing lower receipts and net farm income.

2007 Farm Market Receipts by Commodity, Relative to Five-Year Average

Program payments are expected to be down in 2008 from previous years as market income has grown.

Net market income per farm is expected to increase from $14,300 to $20,877 for farms between 2007 and 2008.

Program payments per farm are expected to fall from $21,013 to $20,144 for farms between 2007 and 2008.

Average Net Market Income and Program Payments, 2003-2008

Net value-added in agriculture, which measures the economic activity of the sector as a whole, is expected to be higher in 2007 and 2008 than in previous years.

Agriculture's net-value added will rise to $12.2 billion in 2008, up from $9.4 billion in 2007. This is due to the rapid growth in the value of agricultural production, as improved prices in the crop sector will more than offset high costs of production and lower receipts for red meat producers.

Value-Added in Agriculture, 1991-2008

Families on smaller farms are more dependent on non-farm income.

For smaller farms, non-farm income along with program payments, are enough to offset negative and low net market income.

Even large farms rely to some extent on non-farm income.

Average Income of Farm Families by Source of Income 2008

Productivity growth in agriculture has slowed in recent years, while that in FBT processing has increased relative to total manufacturing.

Total factor productivity growth in agriculture, which measures the growth in output per unit of inputs, decreased from average annual rates of 1.5% in 1988 to 1996 to 0.9% in 1997 to 2004. It has consistently been lower than in the U.S.

Productivity growth in FBT processing has been low relative to total manufacturing, but increased in recent years faster than in the U.S.

Comparison of Total Factor Productivity Growth in Primary Agriculture: Canada vs. the U.S., 1988-2004

Productivity improvements occur as a result of R&D investments and innovation.

In primary agriculture, public spending on R&D has fallen both in absolute terms and as a share of gross farm receipts, and relative to Australia and the U.S.

Private R&D spending on FBT processing, which is lower than in total manufacturing, has stabilized after having increased in 2004.

Public Research and Development Support to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector, 1986-2007

Canada is endowed with a relative abundance of arable land and water.

Canada's rank as second in the world for the availability of arable land per person explains our status as a large producer and exporter of agricultural products. Canada's share of land suitable for agricultural production is only a small percentage (5%) of the total.

Arable Land in Canada Relative to Other Countries, 2005

In Canada, agriculture uses a relatively small share of its abundant renewable water resources for irrigation and livestock.

In Canada, only 0.18% of the country's total renewable water resources were used for agriculture. This compares with India where 30% of total renewable water resources are for agricultural use.

Agricultural Water Withdrawal as a Percentage of Total Renewable Resources in Selected Countries, 1998-2002 Average

Canadian farmers are adopting environmentally-friendly best management practices which are sustainable.

Canadian farmers are increasingly adopting management practices to farm with environmental concerns in mind by conserving the soil, protecting water quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through best management practices. Increased no-till practices are an example of a practice which leads to reduced fuel and fertilizer costs while helping conserve soils.

Tillage Practices by Region, 2001 and 2006

Government expenditures in support of the agriculture and agri-food sector have grown over time, but declined as a share of GDP.

Federal and provincial government expenditures in support of the agriculture and agri-food sector increased to $8.1 billion for the 2007-08 fiscal year, up slightly from the previous year. As a share of GDP, however, they have fallen to under 40%, the lowest share in two decades.

Government Expenditures in Support of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector through 1985 to 2008 Fiscal Years

Program payments make up the largest portion of federal government support, accounting for 50% of the total in 2007-08. Research and inspection spending was the second largest category at 24% of the total.

Federal Government Expenditures in Support of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector by Major Category 2007 to 2008 Fiscal Year

Based on the OECD estimates of Producer Subsidy Equivalents (PSE), support to Canadian producers as a share of gross farm receipts fell from 20% in 2006 to 18% in 2007, primarily due to an increase in farm receipts and a decrease in market price sup-port due to higher world commodity prices. This compares with the EU and the U.S., where the PSE was 26% and 10% respectively, in 2007.

Producer Support Estimates (PSE), Selected Countries 1986 to 2007

Publication: 10770E - ISSN: 1708-4164 - ISBN: 978-1-100-10925-1 - Catalogue: A38-1/1-2008E-PDF - Project: 08-028-r

Contact Information

To request a copy of this publication, please e-mail: Econ.Info@agr.gc.ca.